The North West went to the polls on Thursday to elect 8 MEPs to represent the region. Follow all the action from the results night on our live blog.

02:40 That's all from us here at Manchester Town Hall. We'll have much more on this story later today.

02:30 Nick Griffin is now conducting a raft of TV and radio interviews. Aside from this media scrum, there is virtually no one left in the room.

02:20 Nick Griffin comes to the podium and most of the other candidates have walked out. He claims some ballot boxes had broken seals. He says hundreds of thousands of voters have 'seen past the lies of The Sun's Gurkha campaign' to vote BNP. When he gets to Brussels he wants to get researchers to look into the 'looting of public services' by mainstream parties.

02:20 Chris Davies says 92 per cent of voters have rejected the 'intolerance' of the BNP.

02:15 Paul Nuttall says he will vote against any legislation which transfers more power to the EU. His assertion that UKIP's success is the story of the night provokes some titters.

02:10 Arlene McCarthy attacks Conservatives and UKIP over expenses scandal. She then says under the BNP, Sajjad Karim would not have been allowed to stand. BNP supporters heckle her. It's getting very rowdy.

02:05 Speeches time, starting with the top candidate. Sir Robert Atkins receives huge long applause for denouncing BNP. A heckler shouts 'it's called democracy'.

02:05 Our 8 representatives going to Brussels are Sir Robert Atkins (Con), Arlene McCarthy (Lab), Paul Nuttall (UKIP), Chris Davies (Lib Dems), Sajjad Karim (Con), Brian Simpson (Lab), Jacqueline Foster (Con), Nick Griffin (BNP).

02:00 It sounds like the BNP have polled about 2000 more than the Greens.

02:00 Howard Bernstein, the returning officer, is delivering the total votes for each party in alphabetical order.

02:00 This is it. The room is packed and all eyes and cameras are on Nick Griffin as he walks in, in jubilant mood.

01:55 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "The other parties are set to walk out of the room in protest if, as expected, Nick Griffin is elected. Announcement of results due soon."

01:30 We're expecting the official results very soon. Don't go to bed just yet!

01:00 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "A disconsolate-looking Paul Nuttall, UKIP's lead candidate, tells me he's not ruling out calling for a region-wide recount. His figures show there is fewer than 2000 votes between UKIP and the BNP for the eighth seat."

00:50 Reporter Chris Hopper: "The BNP is now being strongly predicted to win the eighth and final seat in the North West. The Conservatives say the BNP are likely to win it by up to 6000 votes." General expectation in the room now is Tories 3, Labour 2, UKIP 1, Lib Dems 1, BNP 1.

00:50 Unfortunately the screen displaying the results has been switched off so we can't bring you any more of the counts.

00:30 Reporter Chris Hopper: "The Green Party and the BNP are projected to miss out on seats in the North West. The 8 MEPs are predicted to be 3 Tories, 2 Labour, 2 UKIP and 1 Lib Dem. The Greens expect to finish sixth behind the BNP."

00:30 Bury result: Conservatives 14244; Labour 9323; UKIP 7372; Lib Dems 5740; Greens 3454; BNP 3994.

00:30 Copeland result: Conservatives 5434; Labour 5617; Lib Dems 1576; UKIP 3043; Greens 883; BNP 2572.

00:10 Reporter Chris Hopper: "Nick Griffin concedes to a TV journalist that it is 'unlikely' the BNP will win a European seat in the North West."

00:05 Blackburn with Darwen results: Labour 10173; Conservatives 9369; Lib Dems 4855; UKIP 4664; BNP 3507; Greens 2177.

00:05 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "MP for Leigh Andy Burnham, the new health secretary declared his support for under-fire Salford MP Hazel Blears. He said: 'We finished top in Salford this evening, which shows there is a level of support still there for the Labour party.'"

Midnight Lancaster results: Conservatives 10716; UKIP 6165; Labour 6148; Greens 5393; Lib Dems 4699; BNP 1736.

23.45 Reporter Chris Hopper: "With 23 boroughs still to declare, Conservatives are leading with 143,000. Labour are on 120,000 then UKIP on 86,000, Lib Dems 74,000 with Greens and BNP neck-and-neck with around 46,000 each."

23.45 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "Conservative's number two candidate and current MEP Sajjad Karim, rescting to the news of BNP's election in Yorkshire and Humber, tells me 'it's a dark day for British democracy.' He blames the collapse of the Labour vote in Yorkshire and the Humber for allowing the BNP to take a seat."

23.35 Reporter Chris Hopper: "Labour and BNP seem to be down in the North West from their 2004 votes, whereas UKIP are the big winners compared to last time."

23.35 BNP leader Nick Griffin conducts live TV interviews as reports suggest his party has won a European Parliament seat in the Yorkshire and Humber region. His own prospects of election remain on a knife edge.

23.30 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "Cllr John Walsh, leader of Bolton’s Conservatives group, tells me 'I am absolutely delighted. We are confident of winning at the next General Election and this shows that Bolton is well placed to help us do that.'"

23.25 Ribble Valley results: Conservatives 7251; UKIP 3403: Lib Dems 2205; Greens 1324; Labour 1225; BNP 1195.

23.15 Eden results: Conservatives 6096; Lib Dems 3257; UKIP 2602; Greens 1561; Labour 1089; BNP 824.

23.15 Barrow results: Conservatives 4265; Labour 4612; UKIP 2814; Lib Dems 1648; BNP 1130; Greens 887.

23.00 Reporter Chris Hopper: "The BNP seem to be rallying as the votes continue to come in, throwing open the possibility of a first North West MEP. So far, Labour are polling second overall with 100,000 votes to the Tories' 119,000. UKIP are third and the Lib Dems fourth."

22.45 Salford results: Labour 10800; Conservatives 9819; UKIP 7252; Lib Dems 5498; BNP 4818; Green 3210.

22.35 Rossendale results: Conservatives 5411; Labour 3296; UKIP 3168; Lib Dems 2019; BNP 1863; Green 1284.

22.35 Provisional Bolton results: Conservatives 16,550; Labour 14,767; UKIP 10,148; Lib Dems 5,680; BNP 5,409; Green 3,954.

22.20 Pendle results: Conservatives 8450; Labour 5272; UKIP 4218; Lib Dems 4109; BNP 3610; Greens 1540.

22.20 Out of the smaller parties, the English Democrats are faring best so far, followed by the Christian Party and then the two left-wing parties No 2 EU and Socialist Labour.

22.20 Knowsley results: Labour 9193; UKIP 3144; BNP 2574; Lib Dems 2564; Conservatives 2280; Greens 1425.

22.10 Preston results: Conservatives 9410; Labour 8072; UKIP 4958; Lib Dems 4509; Greens 2438; BNP 2377.

21.55 Cheshire West and Chester result: Conservatives 27522; UKIP 14089; Labour 12530; Lib Dems 9817; Greens 6292; BNP 3789.

21.55 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "Chris Davies, current MEP and number one Liberal Democrat candidate, tells me he's confident of keeping his seat. So much so that he doesn't feel the need to cancel his Virgin rail ticket for a meeting in London later this week."

21.50 Rochdale results: Conservatives 8909; Labour 8568; Liberal Democrats 8299; UKIP 7141; Green 2590; BNP 4905.

21.50 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "Nick Griffin, BNP leader and number one candidate for the North West, has made it into the town hall. He tells me he remains confident of being elected despite poorer than expected results in Burnley and Pendle. He also hit out at 'media lies' about his party and claims the protests outside Manchester Town Hall show Labour are 'running scared.'"

21.45 Fylde results: Conservatives 9343; UKIP 5125; Lib Dems 3063; Lab 2194; Green 1610; BNP 1359.

21.45 West Lancashire results: Conservatives 8974; Labour 5642; Lib Dems 2086; UKIP 5916; Green 2088; BNP 1618.

21.45 Hyndburn result: Conservatives 6037 Labour 5020 UKIP 3906 BNP 2731 Lib 1285.

21:30 Reporter Chris Hopper: "Here are the Blackpool results - Conservatives 10306; Labour 6961; UKIP 6456; BNP 3523; Lib Dems 3067; Green 1668." For reader searsrp66, who asked about the Blackpool turnout, it was 31.82%.

21:20 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "UKIP's Paul Nuttall quietly pleased with his party's results so far and buoyed by the BNP's low placings so far."

21:20 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "Official results for Manchester have been declared: Labour 27502; Lib Dems 16424; Greens 12225; Conservatives 11896; UKIP 8002; BNP 6797."

21:15 Reporter Chris Hopper: "Provisional results suggest the Tories have topped the list in Pendle with 8400 votes. Labour are next with 5200, UKIP are on 4200 and Lib Dems 4000. BNP polled 3800, the provisional votes suggest."

21:15 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "Lib Dems have topped the poll in Burnley - just. 5422 votes with Labour in second on 4246, Conservatives on 4058, UKIP on 3536, BNP on 3500 and Greens on 1021."

20:50 There's a massive surge outside as scores of protesters dash to the back door of the town hall and the chant goes up: "Nazi scum off our streets". Apparently Nick Griffin's car was surrounded and forced to speed off. Police have called for reinforcements.

20:45 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "Paul Nuttall, United Kingdom Independence Party lead candidate, says it's touch-and-go whether his party will take one seat or two. He also hit at the media and other political parties for 'giving oxygen to the BNP. The best way to defeat the BNP would have been not to mention them at all.'"

20:45 On Twitter, christof_ff reckons the Chorley count went as follows: Con 4500; Labour 4500; UKIP 2500; Lib Dem 1000; Green 1000; BNP 1000. Is he right? We'll find out soon - first results from the 39 North West areas very soon.

20:25 Reporter Andrew Greaves: "The leader of Bolton Conservatives John Walsh is quietly confident of the Tories topping the list."

20:15 Reporter Chris Hopper: "Liberal Democrats say they expect a good night from East Lancashire voters. A party insider said they are polling strongly, particularly in Burnley - possibly squeezing the BNP."

20:15 Reporter Chris Hopper: "Liberal Democrats say they expect a good night from East Lancashire voters. A party insider said they are polling strongly, particularly in Burnley - possibly squeezing the BNP."

20:10 In the media room, the six-foot TV screen is turned to BBC1 - and no one can figure out how to change channels. At least we will see The Apprentice final. If you're not watching Sir Alan Sugar tonight, why not let us know your opinions on this crucial election? Any predictions? Add your comments below or email me (pcockerton@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk).

20:05 So the top turnout in the North West was in South Lakeland and the lowest was in Knowsley (21.56%).

19:55 The turnout figures have been announced. Across the North West, 1.66 million votes were cast, which is 31.9 per cent of the electorate. In Blackburn with Darwen it was 37.73%; Bolton 30.56%; Burnley 36.06%; Bury 34.22%; Chorley 39.10%; Hyndburn 38.73%; Pendle 44.63%; Ribble Valley 39.36%; Rossendale 36.65%; South Lakeland 49.96%; South Ribble 37.63%. If you want any stats for other areas, just ask.

19:30 Outside protesters are gathering to voice their opinion on the possible election of British National Party leader Nick Griffin as one of those representatives. Inside meanwhile the video cameras are being set up and candidates are pacing the corridors.

19:20 Welcome to Manchester Town Hall where in a few hours the eight North West representatives in the European Parliament will be announced. I'm here with reporters Andrew Greaves and Chris Hopper to bring you the results and a flavour of what's happening behind the scenes.